At the tender age of six, my father surprised me with a Super Nintendo and a copy of Super Metroid, marking the beginning of a profound journey into the world of gaming. With the high costs of new titles, our weekends were typically spent at a local rental store, where we would eagerly try out various games like Mega Man X and Rock n’ Roll Racing.
One day, we discovered a game labeled “Final Fantasy III”on its cover, although it was actually Final Fantasy VI. My brother and I were taken aback by the extensive Japanese dialogue and the turn-based combat mechanics presented through a command menu; we were less than enthusiastic. In a stroke of good fortune, the shopkeeper suggested we give an English-language RPG a shot, leading us to the unforgettable adventure of Chrono Trigger. This game captured our hearts, igniting my love for JRPGs from that moment onward, all thanks to a Nintendo console.
In this article, I aim to honor the legacy of JRPGs and the innovative minds behind the Super Nintendo by ranking my favorite titles across every Nintendo console. This ranking blends the critical acclaim reflected in reviews with my personal angles and preferences. One quick disclaimer: I do not categorize The Legend of Zelda series as a JRPG.
Criteria for Ranking
To create this list, I applied a few specific criteria:
- Utilized a blend of OpenCritic and Metacritic scores to identify the standout titles on each console, excluding older systems like the SNES and Game Boy.
- Ranked games not just by critic scores but also by personal taste.
- Excluded ports, such as the GBA version of Final Fantasy VI.
- Note: There’s no Switch 2 title included, for obvious reasons.
12. Final Fantasy
The Best of the NES
During the NES era, score aggregators were nonexistent, which compelled me to rely on instinct and popular sentiment gathered from sources like MobyGames. Although Dragon Quest deserves a nod for establishing the JRPG genre, I personally favor Final Fantasy due to its party dynamics and class-changing mechanics. For modern players, I recommend starting with the Pixel Remaster of Final Fantasy, offering an approachable look at the series’ origins. While its simplistic gameplay can feel quite basic—with most battles resolved automatically and minimal class distinction—it radiates charm and serves as a historical reference point that shaped the revered Final Fantasy VII.
11. Dragon Warrior Monsters 2
The Best of the Game Boy Color
Initially, I planned to highlight Pokémon Gold and Silver, being clear evolutions of Pokémon Red. However, I decided to feature another excellent title that holds its own in the monster-collecting genre: Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 (or Dragon Quest Monsters 2).Fun fact: Dragon Quest V introduced the monster-capturing element even before Pokémon! In this game, players take on the roles of Cobi or Tara, who must save their island by capturing monsters with a moiety of food as their primary currency. With over 300 monsters to catch, it’s a delightful yet daunting task for completionists.
The game features a breeding system that incorporates a unique merging mechanic to produce new creatures—an interesting twist that adds depth to the gameplay.
10. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
The Best of the Nintendo DS
Building on the triumphant success of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Nintendo expanded its horizons in RPGs featuring its beloved plumber. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story stands out as a premier title on the Nintendo DS, merging engaging gameplay with brilliantly crafted, humorous storytelling.
The plot unfolds as the villain Fawful tricks Bowser into consuming a peculiar mushroom, causing chaos as he inadvertently swallows Mario, Luigi, and other notable characters. This unique twist influences gameplay significantly, as players control both Mario and Luigi while interacting with Bowser, utilizing the DS’s dual-screen capabilities to immerse themselves in the experience.
9. Golden Sun
The Best of the Game Boy Advance
Golden Sun impressively illustrated the capabilities of the Game Boy Advance, showcasing stunning visuals that seemed to defy the handheld’s hardware limitations. The game not only captivated players with its beautiful graphics but also delivered spellbinding summon animations and combat dynamics of exceptional quality.
Although I did not own Golden Sun initially, a friend introduced it to me, and upon diving into Isaac’s adventure, I was completely captivated, finishing the game over a weekend. The combination of an engaging storyline and a vibrant cast of characters made Golden Sun an unforgettable experience. The inventive field actions assigned to each party member enhanced puzzle-solving and storytelling, effectively expanding the game’s immersive world.
8. Xenoblade Chronicles X
The Best of the Wii U
Title like Xenoblade Chronicles X can be classified as a system seller, significantly influencing console purchases. Following my affection for the original Xenoblade Chronicles on the Switch, acquiring a Wii U specifically to experience this installment was a no-brainer, and I haven’t looked back since.
Although Xenoblade Chronicles X doesn’t dive as deeply into narrative as other entries, it captivates players with its expansive world, Mira, and introduces innovative gameplay mechanics. Players can traverse the terrain on foot or utilize Skells, which transform into vehicles or flying machines while battling indigenous creatures and alien adversaries.
If you’ve hesitated to engage with Xenoblade Chronicles X due to apprehensions about its perceived role as a spinoff, I urge you to reconsider. Playing its definitive edition may reveal an extraordinary experience you’ve been missing.
7. Paper Mario
The Best of the Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64 is not widely regarded for its JRPG library, often seen as lacking compared to its competitors. Nevertheless, Paper Mario shines brightly against this backdrop as a remarkable title that shifted the paradigm of role-playing adventure.
Originally conceived as a sequel to Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario evolved into a standalone game, paving the way for its own series. The fusion of turn-based combat and side-scrolling exploration creates a distinct play style complemented by timed input mechanics that enhance each encounter.
Throughout the course of the game, Mario embarks on traditional quests to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser, showcasing charming interactions and a whimsical atmosphere throughout.
6. Pokémon Red & Blue
The Best of the Game Boy
As one of the few kids in my elementary school to own a Game Boy, Pokémon’s release caused a frenzy that swept my peers into a quest for adventure. My affinity for RPGs enabled me to immerse myself fully in the game, striving to catch all 152 Pokémon—including MissingNo!
Among my fondest memories is the countless times I restarted Pokémon Blue, experimenting with different starter Pokémon to create unique teams, such as taking on the Elite Four with an unexpected choice like a Raticate.
Looking back, perhaps it wasn’t solely the game’s quality that made it special; rather, the nostalgia of those carefree days resonated with me, now shaded by the joys of youth and simplicity.
5. Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
The Best of the Nintendo 3DS
In a landscape filled with games inspired by Chrono Trigger, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology stands out by embracing the notion of time travel without falling into mimicry. This title explores two distinct timelines, where players gather intelligence within one timeline to influence events in another. It presents an intricate narrative that engages players with intelligent dialogue and clever storytelling.
While the gameplay mechanics related to grid-based turn combat may eventually feel redundant, Radiant Historia remains a captivating experience, enhancing its legacy as one of the finest JRPGs on the Nintendo 3DS—a title that resonates with time-travel enthusiasts and narrative lovers alike.
4. Tales of Symphonia
The Best of the GameCube
Despite Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door garnering higher critic scores, I felt compelled to highlight Tales of Symphonia for its special place in my heart. This JRPG has received multiple remasters and remains a beloved title for good reason. It encapsulates everything enjoyable about the Tales series: vivid characters, humorous banter, engaging combat systems, and a comprehensive progression mechanics that incentivizes player growth.
Tales of Symphonia tells a coherent story that keeps players engaged from start to finish, complete with startling plot twists that pleasantly surprise. While it’s not always deemed a benchmark for narrative excellence within the Tales franchise, this title deserves recognition for its storytelling prowess.
3. Chrono Trigger
The Best of the SNES
There’s an ongoing debate in the gaming community regarding whether Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI takes the crown for the best JRPG on the SNES. Nevertheless, both are masterpieces that any genre enthusiast should experience. Chrono Trigger is frequently deemed the more approachable title, benefiting from the development advancements gained by Square over the years.
New players are first drawn in by its user-friendly systems, Bidirectional progressions and engaging storytelling. Its removal of random encounters and grinding adds a significant quality-of-life upgrade. With its groundbreaking graphics, a memorable soundtrack, and pacing that keeps players glued to the screen, Chrono Trigger remains an iconic game 30 years later and continually inspires modern titles.
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